KIWITEA BERTHS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1946, Page 6

KIWITEA BERTHS

BRIEF LULL IN ROUGH SEAS ON BAR PORT LATER CLOSED AGAIN After arriving in the roadstead during the night, the Kiwitea, diverted to Greymouth from Westport to load urgently required gas coal for the North Island, took advantage of a brief lull in the rough seas off the harbour entrance shortly before eight o’clock this morning to entei the port. No sooner had the vessel berthed than the seas again became boisterous and effectively barred the departure of the Poolta and Holmlea which have been bar-bound heie for eight days. With the berthing of the Kiwitea after four other vessels had been diverted to other ports following several days spent in the roadstead, Greymouth waterside employees today did their first work on the whart for more than a week. The Kiwitea s coal was already on the wharf, and the Kaimai, which is expected tonight, if she is able to enter, will also obtain her coal cargo from the quan tity accumulated on the wharf during this week. With the resumption of the rough seas, it may not be possible for the Kiwitea to leave with her coal cargo immediately loading has been completed The Omana bound for Greymouth, is sheltering off North Cape. With her steam steering gear crippled, the Gabriella faced heavy seas off the Westport bar last evening under her auxiliary hand steering equipment. An attempt made during the day to tow the vessel into Westport failed, but another attempt this morning was successful, the ship berthing at 10 o’clock. Just how serious is the damage was not known this morning, but it is hoped to carry out repairs at Westport. GISBORNE GAS SUPPLIES CUT

(P.A.) GISBORNE, August 9. Because of the critical shortage of coal supplies, the Gisborne Gas Company has announced a complete shutoff of supplies daily from 8 a.m. to 10.30 Am., from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to midnight until further notice. . The decision was precipitated by the non-arrival of coal from the West Coast, where ships are barbound. _____